Unheralded Fisher shines in Dubai to bring Tiger into sight

The prospect of one of the most intriguing final day pairings of this or any other season moved closer yesterday. Tiger Woods kept his side of fate's bargain during the second round of the Dubai desert classic, shooting a five-under par 67 on the Emirates course to edge closer to the head of the leaderboard and so, too, Ross Fisher, who once acted as a ball collector for Woods on the driving range at Wentworth.

Fisher returned his second consecutive 65 to finish with a 36-hole total of 130, 14-under par. That left the 26-year-old Englishman two shots ahead of Ernie Els, who will complete his second round this morning after lightning interrupted play in the desert.

Common sense, and the returning swagger in Els's step, suggests the South African world No4 will be the man most likely to resist the challenge of Woods tomorrow but sporting romantics will hope that Fisher has the gumption to handle the pressure that comes with leading one of the best fields of the European tour year.

"That's absolutely great golf," Woods said when asked about the Englishman's efforts over the first two days - effusive praise from a man not known for throwing around compliments in the direction of anyone standing between himself and the head of the leaderboard. If anything the world No1 might have been even more expansive.

For the second successive day Fisher played beautiful, controlled golf as he shot eight birdies, nine pars and one bogey. It was an estimable performance, more so given that the 26-year-old from Wentworth is unfamiliar with the spotlight. "I've only ever led one tournament before which was in China - the Volvo Open - and it was my first tournament," he said.

He led that event by one shot going into the final day and eventually finished fourth. He could hardly be faulted if, privately, his ambition for Sunday was to finish fourth again - an outcome that would earn him £61,000, by far the biggest cheque of his nascent career. In public, however, he set his goals considerably higher. "I know deep down that I'm good enough and that I feel like I belong here. I feel like I am ready to win," he insisted. "It would be an absolute thrill to play with the best player in the world. Obviously all the pressure will be on him because he is expected to win."

Fisher probably is ready to win sometime soon, although perhaps not in such esteemed company. Woods looks imperious. After a decade in the professional game Woods is arguably the best player ever. He even does self-deprecation like a champion. "My distance control with the irons wasn't all that great and I didn't make any putts," he said after yesterday's round of 67.